May 19th - #46 - Technique week - "Do Over!" Take an older card and redo it. Change the colors, add embellishments, make it more simple, whatever. Have FUN!

Here is my card!!!

I have had so many people supporting me after my most recent miscarriage. I wanted to make thank you cards for them all! So, I did a few, then I decided to incorporate this challenge into it! I redid shapes, colors, and main image! I hope you like it!

I am very sorry my post have been very quick and simple lately! We are in the middle of moving, plus I am VERY shorthanded at my day job, and I have had A LOT of doctors appointments! We even saw the fertility specialist on Wednesday! So much going on, and I am missing my crafty time!

I miss you all!!!I see we are nearing that 250 mark! GOOD! I CANNOT WAIT to give this away!!! Whoop Whoop!!!

Please don't forget to check out my awesome DT sisters over at Hiding In My Craft Room!!! They all ROCK!!!I didn't forgot you all, just been SUPER busy!!!

Monday, May 14, 2012

Welcome to the Abusive Relationship Awareness Blog Hop. While this may not be your typical blog hop theme, we decided to put together this hop in order to shed light on a topic that often goes unspoken about, when the truth is many of us have either been in an abusive relationship or know of someone who has. We're here not to celebrate abusive relationships, but to bring hope to those who have been firsthand or secondhand victims and to provide awareness to help put an end to this growing problem.

All of our projects showcased in this hop have something to do with hope, love, and encouragement. The color for domestic violence is purple, and as you'll see purple was used on many of our projects.Here is my project!!! I created a view master card! I thought butterflies would be PERFECT to symbolize rising above abusive relationships!!

To help promote awareness for abusive relationships, eleven sponsors have been kind enough to offer almost $200 worth of prizes to those who participate in the blog hop. Yes, you read that correctly, there will be 11 PRIZE WINNERS. Let's see what prizes are being offered...

My scraps this week were from my Perfect Rose project! I had cut out a BUNCH of pieces to make a few roses, but, as it turned out, I only made one perfect rose. Not because I felt it was perfect, but because it was SOOOOO difficult for me to get together, that I just stopped at one! LOL! So, I had TONS of pieces of scraps left over, so I decided that it would only be fitting if they created ANOTHER perfect rose....just not a giant one!!

So, here is my card I made for Mother's Day!

This rose was from the "Celebrate With Flourish" cartridge. I used this for an Easter Card earlier this year, and I remembered seeing a rose on this cartridge. I figured I would give it a try!

Now, check out the rest of my AWESOME design team sisters projects for some inspiration! I know you will be awed!!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

This has been a SUPER crazy week for me!! Been VERY busy at work, busy with my son, and busy with my side business. I have also been working on some other things! I know, I know!!! I wanted to have a blog hop for my one year blog anniversary, but just NOT ENOUGH TIME!!!

As for some things going on with Close To My Heart info, don't forget this is the time to make a purchase! With every $35 purchase, you can get the TOTALLY AWESOME Dotty For You Paper for only $5!!!

And don't forget that its time for a new Stamp Of The Month! With every $50 purchase or more, you can get a Stamp of The Month for only $5!!!

﻿

OK All, just wanted to stop in with a quick post!!! I also encourage you to stop at my Etsy Shop! I have recently been making Silhouette Studio SVG's and I have FINALLY decided to put them on my Etsy Shop! I was VERY nervous about doing it, but I figure, if you guys don't like them, you wont by them!

I am also working on something else that is kinda big to me! I will fill you all in on that in a few weeks...It will take that long for me to be able to finish it up and get ready to tell you all!

OK...that's enough of a check in for me!!! Hope to catch you all Craftin' and Stampin'! ﻿

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

I was VERY excited to create this project! It's Teacher Appreciation week, and I knew EXACTLY what I was gonna do! I wanted to make a "College" type decoration for my son's teacher's desk! I knew what cartridge I was going to use also! I got a mini haul of cartridges this past week, and in that haul I had the Recess cartridge! Its SUPER cute!

How CUTE are the images on this cartridge???

Here's what I made with the cartridge!

I hope she likes it! I also hope she knows how much we appreciate her!!!

Monday, May 7, 2012

Its time for another Exploring Cricut Challenge!!! Here's what we have planned for this week!

"make a card, layout, or papercraft celebrating Mother's Day"

So, what did I make today??? Well, for my mom, I wanted to make one perfect pink rose to go along with a box that I made for her desk a few weeks back. So, I dug out my Cricut "Giant Flowers" cartridge and I made her a GIANT ROSE!!!

Here's what it looks like!!!

Hope you liked it! Sorry for such a quick post today! TONS going on with us and our move!!! Got lots to pack up!!!

OK, make sure you check out the rest of the DT projects for inspiration! Then, enter the challenge!!! Mother's Day is next Sunday!!!

Laurie, from Hiding In My Craft Room, has set up a few posts for the day. She has 5 projects set up every hour, on the hour, starting at 11 AM (CST). I will have post go live every hour as she has stated. For my followers that responde to ALL posts at Hiding In My Craft Room, here on my site, and on any of my DT sisters from Hiding In My Craft room, I will have 5 prizes, one for each challenge, to 5 lucky people! I will NOT pick winners until ALL challenges have been posted and commented on! I will say, I ENCOURAGE you to play along! It's gonna be SO MUCH FUN!!!

Here's the schedule: (CST time)

Today is all about you!

11AM Black / White and YOUR favorite color!

12PM All about Me! ( a page about you or something that tells about you, like a card using your favorite things)

1PM Holiday Catch Up! (this is the time to scrap a past holiday or make a card, tag, etc. for a past or future holiday that you will need)

2PM Kid's craft! (this can be for a kid, about your kid/s, or with your kid/s)

3PM I'm Thankful! (what are you thankful for page/project or a thank you card for someone)

These of course, as always, can be any paper project!

So, are you ready for FUN??? AND prizes????

Here is the 3:00 Post!!!

Since you all know that I misscarried a few weeks back, you should understand why this is my "I'm Thankful For" page. This is our March for Babies layout. We do the March of Dimes March for Babies walk EVERY YEAR. My son was a preemie, so this is what we do for him every year. They were there for me, so I am thankful for them!!!

Ok all! Thanks SO much for hopping for the last 5 hours with me and Hiding In My Craft Room team!

Don't forget to follow ALL the rules so you can win some prizes!!! I will be picking the winners on Monday!!

Laurie, from Hiding In My Craft Room, has set up a few posts for the day. She has 5 projects set up every hour, on the hour, starting at 11 AM (CST). I will have post go live every hour as she has stated. For my followers that responde to ALL posts at Hiding In My Craft Room, here on my site, and on any of my DT sisters from Hiding In My Craft room, I will have 5 prizes, one for each challenge, to 5 lucky people! I will NOT pick winners until ALL challenges have been posted and commented on! I will say, I ENCOURAGE you to play along! It's gonna be SO MUCH FUN!!!

Here's the schedule: (CST time)

Today is all about you!

11AM Black / White and YOUR favorite color!

12PM All about Me! ( a page about you or something that tells about you, like a card using your favorite things)

1PM Holiday Catch Up! (this is the time to scrap a past holiday or make a card, tag, etc. for a past or future holiday that you will need)

2PM Kid's craft! (this can be for a kid, about your kid/s, or with your kid/s)

3PM I'm Thankful! (what are you thankful for page/project or a thank you card for someone)

These of course, as always, can be any paper project!

So, are you ready for FUN??? AND prizes????

Here is the 2:00 Post!!!

My son was SO excited to help me make this layout!!! He wanted to push ALL the buttons on my Gypsy for me! And he put ALL the stickers down on the layout :)

Laurie, from Hiding In My Craft Room, has set up a few posts for the day. She has 5 projects set up every hour, on the hour, starting at 11 AM (CST). I will have post go live every hour as she has stated. For my followers that responde to ALL posts at Hiding In My Craft Room, here on my site, and on any of my DT sisters from Hiding In My Craft room, I will have 5 prizes, one for each challenge, to 5 lucky people! I will NOT pick winners until ALL challenges have been posted and commented on! I will say, I ENCOURAGE you to play along! It's gonna be SO MUCH FUN!!!

Here's the schedule: (CST time)

Today is all about you!

11AM Black / White and YOUR favorite color!

12PM All about Me! ( a page about you or something that tells about you, like a card using your favorite things)

1PM Holiday Catch Up! (this is the time to scrap a past holiday or make a card, tag, etc. for a past or future holiday that you will need)

2PM Kid's craft! (this can be for a kid, about your kid/s, or with your kid/s)

3PM I'm Thankful! (what are you thankful for page/project or a thank you card for someone)

These of course, as always, can be any paper project!

So, are you ready for FUN??? AND prizes????

Here is the 1:00 Post!!!

Catching up on my son's scrapbook from 2 years ago! I am SOOOOO behind!!! This is for Memorial day! This is one of my FAVORITE layouts I think I ever did!!!

Laurie, from Hiding In My Craft Room, has set up a few posts for the day. She has 5 projects set up every hour, on the hour, starting at 11 AM (CST). I will have post go live every hour as she has stated. For my followers that responde to ALL posts at Hiding In My Craft Room, here on my site, and on any of my DT sisters from Hiding In My Craft room, I will have 5 prizes, one for each challenge, to 5 lucky people! I will NOT pick winners until ALL challenges have been posted and commented on! I will say, I ENCOURAGE you to play along! It's gonna be SO MUCH FUN!!!

Here's the schedule: (CST time)

Today is all about you!

11AM Black / White and YOUR favorite color!

12PM All about Me! ( a page about you or something that tells about you, like a card using your favorite things)

1PM Holiday Catch Up! (this is the time to scrap a past holiday or make a card, tag, etc. for a past or future holiday that you will need)

2PM Kid's craft! (this can be for a kid, about your kid/s, or with your kid/s)

3PM I'm Thankful! (what are you thankful for page/project or a thank you card for someone)

These of course, as always, can be any paper project!

So, are you ready for FUN??? AND prizes????

Here is the 12:00 Post!!!

OK, so I must confess...I ran down to the wire on this one...SO I had to take a picture of something that was already done :( Sorry! But, this IS all about me and where I am from!! I do love this, and it hangs proudly in my craft room!!! I made this about 3 months ago for a challenge that I had!

Laurie, from Hiding In My Craft Room, has set up a few posts for the day. She has 5 projects set up every hour, on the hour, starting at 11 AM (CST). I will have post go live every hour as she has stated. For my followers that responde to ALL posts at Hiding In My Craft Room, here on my site, and on any of my DT sisters from Hiding In My Craft room, I will have 5 prizes, one for each challenge, to 5 lucky people! I will NOT pick winners until ALL challenges have been posted and commented on! I will say, I ENCOURAGE you to play along! It's gonna be SO MUCH FUN!!!

Here's the schedule: (CST time)

Today is all about you!

11AM Black / White and YOUR favorite color!

12PM All about Me! ( a page about you or something that tells about you, like a card using your favorite things)

1PM Holiday Catch Up! (this is the time to scrap a past holiday or make a card, tag, etc. for a past or future holiday that you will need)

2PM Kid's craft! (this can be for a kid, about your kid/s, or with your kid/s)

3PM I'm Thankful! (what are you thankful for page/project or a thank you card for someone)

These of course, as always, can be any paper project!

THIS IS FOR YOU!!! I am still making mine!!! Come back and see all the awesome projects that are lined up for you!!!

Laurie, from Hiding In My Craft Room, has set up a few posts for the day. She has 5 projects set up every hour, on the hour, starting at 11 AM (CST). I will have post go live every hour as she has stated. For my followers that responde to ALL posts at Hiding In My Craft Room, here on my site, and on any of my DT sisters from Hiding In My Craft room, I will have 5 prizes, one for each challenge, to 5 lucky people! I will NOT pick winners until ALL challenges have been posted and commented on! I will say, I ENCOURAGE you to play along! It's gonna be SO MUCH FUN!!!

Here's the schedule: (CST time)

Today is all about you!

11AM Black / White and YOUR favorite color!

12PM All about Me! ( a page about you or something that tells about you, like a card using your favorite things)

1PM Holiday Catch Up! (this is the time to scrap a past holiday or make a card, tag, etc. for a past or future holiday that you will need)

2PM Kid's craft! (this can be for a kid, about your kid/s, or with your kid/s)

3PM I'm Thankful! (what are you thankful for page/project or a thank you card for someone)

These of course, as always, can be any paper project!

So, are you ready for FUN??? AND prizes???? Come on back at 11:00 AM (CST) for the festivites to begin!!!

Friday, May 4, 2012

I just wanted to give you all a heads up!!! Tomorrow is National Scrapbooking Day! Woo Hoo!!

Well, just so you know, you may want to stop back tomorrow morning starting at 11:00 am! I will be doing 5 challenges along with the design team girls over at HIDING IN MY CRAFT ROOM! I will be doing 5 giveaways also! 1 for each challenge!!! So, come on back and join! Rumer has it that I am giving away the new DOTTY FOR YOU from Close To My Heart!!!

YEEEEAAAA! How awesome is that???? In case you forget what it looks like, see it here:

Also, I am just posting really quickly to upload a video in reponse to some people asking how to import and use files from The Cutting Cafe!

Regina, the owner, was kind enough to send us A BUNCH of cut files to play with before we OFFICIALLY start on the team. As for the team, there is a whole lotta talent there!! Check them out!! I am on the video team! I will be showing off the cards and projects that I create for the team!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Today's post is a post to say THANK YOU to my DT sisters from Hiding In My Craft Room. AJ from AJ Scrapbooking & Cards sent me an email early this morning. I opened her email and was INSTANTLY moved to tears! I guess I should go over why I was moved to tears....

I know some of you may not of seen my post about my Angel Babies. I have 4 of them. Sadly, my 4th one happened just a few weeks ago. I have been trying SO hard to keep it as far in the back of my mind as I can, but its easier said then done. I mean, that was my baby to I loved from the MOMENT I knew I was going to have them. My husband has been SO caring and REALLY trying to be there for me! I thought throwing myself into my day job and my crafty job and house hunting would keep my mind from crying over my angel babies. It has to a point, but there's that moment before I close my eyes at night that I WISH I was still caring my little blessing still. But, this is where AJ and my other sisters, Angela, Jennie, and Velma, come into my life in a HUGE way!

AJ's email this morning certainly brought a HUGE smile to my face!

What Makes A Mother
I thought
of you and closed my eyes And prayed to God today I asked, "What makes a
Mother?" And I know I heard him say A Mother has a baby This we know
is true But, God, can you be a mother When your baby's not with
you?

Yes, you can he
replied With confidence in his voice I give many women babies When
they leave it is not their choice Some I send for a lifetime And others
for the day And some I send to feel your womb But there's no need to
stay.

I just don't understand this God
I want my baby here

He took a breath and cleared
his throat And then I saw a tear I wish I could show you What your
child is doing Here

If you could see your child smile
With other children and say "We go to earth to learn our lessons of
love and life and fear, but My mommy loved me so much I got to come
straight here!" I feel so lucky to have a Mom who had so much love for
me I learned my lessons very quickly My Mommy set me free. I miss my
Mommy oh so much But I visit her each day When she goes to sleep On
her pillow is where I lay I stroke her hair and kiss her cheek And
whisper in her ear "Mommy, Please don't be sad today I'm your baby and I
am here"

So you see my dear sweet one
Your children are okay Your babies are here in My home And this is
where they'll stay They'll wait for you with Me Until your lessons there
are through And on the day that you come home they'll be at the gates
waiting for you

So now you see What makes a Mother It's the
feeling in your heart It's the love you had so much of Right from the
very start ~Author Unknown

AJ and my Hiding In My Craft Room DT sisters put together a BEAUTIFUL blog hop in honor of my Angel Babies! I would TRULY love it if you would ALL go and visit each of their blogs to see what WONDERFUL creations they have made!!!

I totally feel that God has brought me into blogging to meet wonderful, FANTASTIC people that will stay lifelong friends and sisters!! I am truly blessed to have met each and every one of them!!!

Also, I would like to say thank you to Emma from My Creative Time because I saw on AJ's page that she has GENEROUSLY dontated a set of her stamps for the Hop that they created! Please stop by Emma's Store!